Thread keeps breaking! :(
 

I'm finally trying to use machine I bought two years ago... and my upper thread keeps breaking at the needle!
I'm pretty sure I have it threaded right... It's a Brother PQ1500S. Any ideas please?

What size needle is in there? What thread? The needle may be the wrong size/type for the thread you are using.

Is the bobbin in correctly? You say you are "pretty sure" you have the machine threaded right. Do you have a manual for the machine?

The needle is the one it came with... Figuring out to get the bobbin inserted was tricky, not 100% sure it's in correctly! It's a side ways one, hard to see. [ATTACH=CONFIG]505381[/ATTACH] I bought this machine 2yrs ago, first time trying to use it as I need to quilt a baby quilt! :) And yes, I have the manual, kind of sparse of bobbin insertion pics! Thanks so much everyone!!! The thread breaks right after needle goes into fabric first time...

Check to see if the thread is hanging up on the spool. That is one thing that will cause the thread to break.

Be sure the bobbin is in the bobbin case correctly. It appears that on this machine if you were to take the bobbin case out and pulled the thread the bobbin should spin clockwise.

Also be sure that the bobbin case is inserted all the way.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]505382[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]505383[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]505384[/ATTACH]

Looking at my bobbin pic, it sure doesn't look like it's in right... yet it doesn't seem 'click' into place, no matter how I try to get it in there.

No, unfortunately I bought it online at a great place - in December 2012! Almost $700 (a lot of $$ for me!), and I wanted it for just the quilting...
Wish you all lived closer!! ;)

It looks to me as if your bobbin is not inserted correctly. Here is a Youtube video that shows how to insert a bobbin:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EVAVs0R7cOQ

Caution: I do not have this machine and was unable to watch the video, so I can't be 100% certain the video is correct! However, most likely it is.

Thanks for the video Prism, but this has a weird side mount one. I 'think' I have it in right now, changed the needle - thread still breaking. 😕 I think I'm going to try local quilt shop who also does machine tune-ups, etc.

Also, you might want to look at the upper thread path. Are you going thru all 3 of the holes in the thread guide? This puts a lot of tension on the thread. Try using only one or two. I'm assuming you have also turned the tension knob down. What weight thread are you using? Is the needle in the right way?
Try just sewing a single layer of fabric.

The side mounting doesn't matter. Your bobbin case is not inserted correctly. See the notch on the right side? That is where the "finger" on your bobbin case needs to go in. The latch should be horizontal. The following is a photo of a Juki bobbin, but yours should look the same when inserted correctly (scroll down to photo of bobbin in machine):
http://www.makingrebeccalynne.com/20...-tl-2010q.html

If you take it to your local quilt shop, anyone there who has experience with sewing machines should be able to show you how to do it.

Edit: When inserting the bobbin case, you hold onto the latch. As you hold onto the latch, line up the "finger" with that notch on the right, then insert the case. Once you let go of the latch, test the bobbin case. The finger should still be in the notch, and you should not be able to move the bobbin case around. You could still have the bobbin inserted incorrectly into the bobbin case (it matters whether the thread is coming off the bobbin clockwise or counter-clockwise). But, for sure, your bobbin case is not inserted correctly; hence, the lack of the "click".

It might be something simple so I would suggest to take it to someone who sells Brothers. I was amazed that the bobbin looks just like my Bernina.

'I' have experience with sewing machines. Just not this one... lol!!!! I know it has to be something so simple... I have the bobbin in right now, pretty sure anyways. ;) I hope it's not an issue from having sat unused for so long.

Here are a couple of links that might help:

See pg 14 for pics and directions for loading the bobbin and bobbin case insertion
http://www.manualslib.com/manual/221...page=14#manual

and here's a QB thread fr 2013 that might help too:
http://www.quiltingboard.com/main-f1...s-t219233.html

Thanks so much everyone!! Yay - it's working now! Don't know if it's cause I finally got the bobbin in right, or if because I'm using the 'spool cap' now - never had to use one before! ����. Thanks again for all your help!! ����

Prism is on the hunt. I agree, it looks like the bobbin case is not in correctly. Show a picture of the bobbin now and we will see if it is actually in correct. When you put the needle down to pull the thread up from the bobbin, does it come up with little or no pull?

I am glad you got the machine working. I agree that it was probably the bobbin case not being put in correctly. My daughter brought a friend's over with the same problem. Just a quick second to put the bobbin case in and it ran like a top. Something so little can be so frustrating.:mad:

I don't use the three hole bar at the top of the machine. I use the first hole as a thread guide. Unless you are using a specialty thread you don't need that much tension to use all three holes. Also the thread should be behind the bar across the tension disc three times: coming down from the upper guide, going up to the lever, and back down again.

is the thread old? Have you changed needles?

Ladies, I was reading a thread on the Vintage Sewing Machines portion of this site. One of the ladies was having the same problem -- she realized that the relative humidity was extremely low (she lives in Canada) and the temperatures have been well below zero -- cannot say this is your problem, but you might check on the Vintage Machine section!

Jeanette

The lever on the bobbin should be parallel to the notch in the machine on the right looking at the picture. See the little indention. I think if you will put the threaded bobbin into the bobbin case, it should be positioned so it winds to the left. Insert a new needle making sure the flat side of the needle goes toward the harp (right side) and the thread is threaded from the left to the right. This is different from most machines.

Look in the manual on Changing the needle and bobbin insertion.

I have the Baby Lock equivalent.

Check your needle for any burrs or rust. You'll need a magnifying glass possibly. But that was the trouble I had. After cleaning and lubing and oiling. Mine started breaking. Not sure how long the needle had been in there. New needle no problem. if you don't have the manual try to download it. You may be able to get if for zip.

I'm glad you got it figured out. I have the same machine, it's my favorite of all my machines.

You might want to join the Yahoo group for your machine. There are plenty of people with lots of helpful tips in the group. There's even a service manual, if you should ever need it.

http://yhoo.it/1IzvSPx

Like Barb said, I bet the thread is getting caught up in the slit in spool? Check that. Brother sewing machines are the touchiesy machines I have ever come across, but I still like them, now that I know what to look for. When they say to use a certain thread and needle, and bobbin especially, they mean it. Good luck.

Thanks everyone!! My other new Brother, can't remember the model right now, is real finicky on wanting the bobbin thread 'just right'! Never had such issues with any other machine before! Thanks Peggi, I'll check out the yahoo group!!

I am so glad you figured it out! W hat a relief. You must feel so much better!!

Dina

Would love to hear how you like your machine after getting the thread issue straightened out. It seems like a great machine to use for quilting.

looking at the picture I cannot see if you have brought the thread around the tension then up over the spring before bringing it up thru the lever then down to the neadle

When my thread keeps breaking, I find that I have threaded the machine incorrectly. Since the machine is new to you, check carefully to make sure that you are threading correctly.

These were my thoughts as well. I have a side mount Janome 1600 and it is a bit awkward for me to put in the bobbin.

I have a Singer. I just had this problem and was going to start pulling my hair out until I realized that at the top of the machine there is the thread guide. I wasn't pulling the thread far enough through it and it would get stuck and break. NOT ANY MORE!!!!! Now I have a smiley face and happy dance!!!!! Hope this is your problem and nothing serious. Good luck. Edie

PS - I wish it would get warm outside.

What Size Needle, What is the Tension set at? Does the Thread coincide with the needle I had issues at one point also and it was such an easy fix. Sorry your frustrated. Make sure the needle is in so the eye is right to left and threaded from the left side. It's a straight stitch only machine and so the needle eye does not go from front to back.
Hope this helps

Do you have a friend who could trouble shoot for you? Or do you have a fabric shop in town that perhaps you could ask someone there to look at it for you? Or do you have a repair shop in town where someone could look at it? Has is been oiled and lint cleaned out? Also, try putting your thread in the freezer overnight. Hope these ideas help!

I don't think your bobbin case is inserted all the way.Turn it one way or the other and gently push at the same time.You need to hear/feel it "pop" into place.I have tried to keep that little lever on the case up while inserting and not allowing it to pop in.That doesn't work.Once you have it lined up gently push and allow it to snap in.

No your bobbin isn't in correctly. Hold the bobbin in your left hand between your forefinger and thumb holding the latch open. Insert the bobbin with the latch in a horizontal position. Push it in and let go of the latch. The latch should be horizontal. If your upper thread is snapping, it's probably catching on something. If the thread is shredding, the needle is too small for the thread. The needle is threaded from left to right on these machines. I have the Viking Mega Quilter which is very similar to your machine. It is an awesome machine for both piecing and free. motion quilting. You can probably download a manual for this machine online if you can't find yours. Hope you get this solved.

Thanks so much everyone!! You all are the best!! It's working great now!! :) :)

My brother does not like coats ad clark, maybe try a different brand of thread